VISTA – Rules that could make ditching class a misdemeanor offense may be in store for Vista Unified's 24,000 students.

In a unanimous but hesitant vote, the City Council asked Vista and school district officials to draft an ordinance that would allow sheriff's deputies to write tickets to truant students and/or take them back to school.

Councilman Steve Gronke, who championed the idea, said an ordinance would keep truants from committing crimes.

"Maybe I'm trying to change behavior through our City Council, but so be it," Gronke said.

One student in the audience wondered about how the ordinance would affect students with permission to be absent.

"It's a great idea for kids that do have (attendance) problems," said Madison Harper, a senior at Rancho Buena Vista High School, in an interview. "But for those who are justifiably out of school, I don't think it's fair to them."

Supporters say an ordinance would discourage students from skipping class and mean more money for the school district because revenue from the state is tied to daily attendance.

They also contend that an ordinance would deter crime by keeping kids from loitering.

But critics say truancy ordinances often are vaguely worded and violate a parent's right to raise children as they choose.

Because of the concerns, some school officials were leery of supporting the measure, despite a California Supreme Court ruling that upheld a similar law in Monrovia in 2002.

"It's because of the rights of the young people," Vista Unified school board President Carol Herrera said. "You go up to a young person on their way to a doctor's appointment, a police officer stops them, and that can be traumatizing for young people."

Seven cities in the county and the unincorporated areas have truancy ordinances. They allow authorities to stop students believed to be ditching school and impose penalties that include a fine or community service.

In July, the Escondido council approved truancy rules allowing police to cite 12-to 17-year-olds who are truant between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Police can contact parents and refer the youth to diversionary programs, which would require them to perform a community service.

Though first-offenders are not fined, repeat violators can be fined up to $250 and required to perform 20 hours of community service. Parents can face jail time over repeat offenses.

Home-schooled teenagers and students with high school equivalency degrees, valid medical appointments or emergencies are exempt.

Escondido police have cited nine students since the ordinance took effect in mid-September, Lt. David Mankin said.